The Struggle of Finding Plus Size Abayas in the UK and How We Solved It
My Personal Journey
When I first started my abaya journey, I faced a struggle that many sisters in the UK will understand. After my two pregnancies, my body changed and I gained weight. Suddenly, the abayas I once wore no longer fit me the way they should.
I began searching for plus size abayas in the UK, but it was almost impossible to find something that gave me the loose drape that defines modest wear. Some abayas would fit at the top, but when it came to the stomach and hip area they became very tight and fitted. That defeated the whole purpose of an abaya. Whether you are a regular size or plus size, an abaya is meant to drape loosely and provide comfort.
Identifying the Gap in Plus Size Modest Fashion
I thought to myself, maybe I am not the only one struggling like this. That is when I saw a real gap in modest fashion for plus size women in the UK.
I decided to start creating my own abayas. I would design the styles I wanted to wear and my mum, who could sew, would make them for me. This saved me the cost of tailoring, because sewing plus size abayas can become expensive due to the amount of fabric required.
In shops, I noticed the same pattern again and again. There were plenty of trendy abayas for regular sizes, but nothing truly made for plus size sisters. The only consistent option was batwing abayas. While they had their place, it felt unfair that plus size women were limited to just one style. Regular size sisters could choose from endless elegant designs, while plus size sisters were left with very few options.
Creating True Plus Size Abayas
That is when I started designing what I now call true plus size abayas. I wanted abayas that were not just bigger in size but carefully designed to respect the body and provide the loose coverage that is central to modest wear.
These abayas used more fabric, often around six metres, which made them genuinely comfortable for UK sizes 20 to 30. The cuts were designed to fit the bust, stomach and hips loosely, without clinging. They were elegant, modest and offered variety. For the first time, plus size sisters in the UK could have the same stunning designs that regular size sisters enjoyed.
Moving Forward with MODESTLY
From that point, I realised how many women were facing the same challenges I had gone through. Designing plus size abayas became a way to serve sisters who had been overlooked for so long.
Today, MODESTLY is proud to be one of the first brands in the UK with a dedicated category for plus size abayas. We design abayas that are inclusive, thoughtful and true to size, made with comfort and modesty at their heart.
Every sister deserves to feel elegant in her abaya, no matter her size. Modest fashion should never exclude plus size women, because modesty is for all of us.
Explore Plus Size Abayas at MODESTLY
If you are looking for plus size abayas in the UK, explore our collection at MODESTLY. Our designs fit UK dress sizes 20 to 30, 2XL to 7XL, with lengths up to 62 inches. Each abaya is made with high quality fabric and a loose drape that respects modesty while keeping you comfortable.
